About
The Reality
The reality of this journey is it is a lot of hard work. For as rewarding as the work is, it has become apparent to me that I need to know my limitations and plan accordingly. I love our horses, love the breeding and the babies, and love the training. However, I also realize there is other things to see and do in this world besides my back 40 full of beautiful horses. I have decided to downsize a little, breed a little less and enjoy a few other things life has to offer.
The Journey
The summer of 2018 was a big year! We completed our expansion project, affording the herd a larger pasture in which to roam and graze. We continue to grow and train potential broodmares and work with the foals on a daily basis. Although this journey comes with hard work, it is fun at its finest!!
The Progress
The expansion of paddocks and hay land is nearing completion. My Morgan mare band has grown to six lovely ladies, three of which have reached my breeding age, while the other three continue their education to saddle. I have “accidently” added a beautiful Friesian mare that has already produced one beautiful colt! The Welsh mares also seem to have produced a few absolutely lovely foals. Basic Black continues to oversee the farm and alert us when something is not right, as any gentleman would!
The Developments
The year 2016 goes down in my history as retiring from my career in Medical Laboratory Technology to my next career, Morgan Horse breeder. I spent the last couple of years preparing my world for this. I carefully selected mares, purchased a stallion, planted a hay crop and fenced additional paddocks. It is so exciting to be this excited about the next stage of life. I look forward to long, healthy relationships with my horses, fellow horsemen and horsewomen and new friends I hope to meet along the way. I use the “I” word loosely, because without the help and support of my husband, Alex, none of this would be possible!!
The Origins
I became involved with horses later in life; I did not grow up with them. I somehow got myself hooked on these beautiful animals and in my quest for experience have dabbled a little in riding, showing, trail, driving and training . I have taken several years of weekly lessons and enjoyed pleasure riding. In 2007, I purchased a 3 year old Morgan mare, trained her with the help of a coach and participated in my very first horse show ever. We entered Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Dressage and Trail Classes. It took me a couple of years to realize that this horse much preferred being out on the trail rather that in the show ring, so what a great excuse to go shopping! In 2011, I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase Intrepid Rock FestivaI (Festival Rock N Roll x Morningside Delight), a cute little Morgan gelding with movement and expression to burn. In 2012, Rocky was the Canadian Reserve Champion, Western Pleasure and in 2013 Rocky did himself proud by winning the Canadian Champion, Western Pleasure and the Canadian Champion, Overall plus earned his Justin Morgan Honour. Way to go Rocky, I am so proud!
As I contemplate retiring from my career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, I thought what a better way to stay busy, active and productive than have a couple of beautiful, well bred Morgan foals to raise and share with people that may be looking for a lifelong partner to fulfill a dream. I have carefully selected my Morgan mares and stallions to produce a quality bred, Morgan offspring, exhibiting beautiful Morgan type, beauty, personality, powerful movement, athletic ability and versatility to excel in many disciplines such as the show ring, sports arena, western working and family pleasure. But, the most important attribute is a sane, sound, beautiful Morgan mind!
Look at Me Now! Surrounded by beautiful Morgan foals!
Oh! And the occasional Welsh foal!
"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire."
-Sharon Ralls Lemon
Morgan Horse Characteristics
The beauty of the Morgan horse lifts the heart. The breed exists solely because it pleases people. It is their heritage. The Morgan is easily recognized by the proud carriage, upright graceful neck, and distinctive head with expressive eyes. Deep bodied and compact, the Morgan is strongly muscled. The intelligence, willingness, zest for life, and good sense of the Morgan is blended with soundness of limb, athleticism, and stamina. In addition, Morgan thriftiness and longevity have made this breed a good bargain for more than 200 years - easy to love and affordable to own. The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic ridden in English style. A tractable temperament allows the Morgan to excel when driving in single or multiple hitches. Companionable and comfortable on a quiet pleasure ride anywhere open skies beckon, working as a sensible partner in a long day of ranch work or endurance riding, waiting alert and ready to enter a show ring, or performing in formal riding disciplines, the Morgan is a versatile horse within a versatile breed. The Morgan horse agreeably adapts to his owner's life style. Reliable, loyal, tireless, and versatile, a Morgan becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, sharing the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime. This breed can be found worldwide.
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